Matt Rainey/The Star-LedgerRochelle Hendricks, seen here in a September photo, has been named the state's first secretary of higher education.

TRENTON — For decades, New Jersey had a powerful chancellor of higher education who oversaw a large and formidable department that kept a tight rein on the state’s colleges and universities.

But in 1994, then-Gov. Christie Whitman vowed to give New Jersey’s colleges and universities more autonomy and abolished the chancellor job and the entire department.

Over the years, colleges enjoyed their new-found freedom — but many felt they had lost their voice in Trenton as the state repeatedly cut funding for higher education.

Thursday, Gov. Chris Christie gave colleges an advocate again with the appointment of Rochelle Hendricks as the state’s first secretary of higher education.

Hendricks, currently the state’s acting deputy education commissioner, will not have the power to set tuition or approve degree programs. But she will serve as an advocate for higher education within the governor’s cabinet at a time when the state’s public colleges and universities are dealing with years of funding cuts.

"This is a knowledge-based economy," Hendricks said. "Higher education has to be not only supported, but we need a passionate advocate to move us forward so that every student in New Jersey has access to an opportunity for attainment of a degree."

Christie announced Hendricks’ appointment in Jersey City alongside students from St. Anthony High School, where 100 percent of graduates are accepted to college.

Hendricks, 63, served briefly as acting education commissioner between Bret Schundler’s firing last fall and Christopher Cerf’s hiring in December. The Fair Haven resident first came to the Department of Education in 1987 under former Gov. Tom Kean after more than 15 years at Princeton University in various posts, including assistant dean of students. In her new post, Hendricks would make $141,000.

Christie said Hendricks’ appointment, which must be approved by the state Senate, fulfills a campaign promise to focus on higher education. Some legislators criticized how long it took the governor to act on that promise.

"All I can say is it’s about damn time," said state Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D-Union), who sponsored the law creating the new secretary’s position, which was signed into law nearly a year-and-a-half ago.

Assembly Higher Education Chairwoman Pamela Lampitt (D-Camden) also blasted the governor for taking 16 months to name a higher education secretary, but said she hopes Hendricks will help reduce the cost of attending the state’s colleges and universities.

"The governor has yet to make a commitment to higher education and its affordability, so working class New Jerseyans must certainly hope this is a turning point," Lampitt said.

Montclair State University President Susan Cole said Hendricks has a strong track record working on K-12 issues with the school’s teacher preparation programs. The new secretary will now play a crucial role in helping the higher education community tackle its challenges, Cole said.

"New Jersey has a substantial and very important agenda before it in correcting long-standing deficits in both investments and public policy related to higher education," she said.

Hendricks starts her new job at a complex time for higher education. A state commission is considering reforming the medical education system, including whether to merge parts of Rutgers University and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.